On Wednesday,November 23, 2016, at approximately 1:41 am, the Monterey Police Department (MPD) responded to the 600 block of Wave Street in Monterey on the report of gunshots being fired. MPD arrived and located one victim at the entrance to the Cannery Row Parking Garage, located in the 600 block of Wave Street.
The victim sustained several gunshot wounds and was transported to the Natividad Medical Trauma Center in Salinas, where he succumbed to his injuries. The victim was identified as Raul Melendez, 28 years-old of Monterey, California.
While the investigation has not yet revealed a motive, it appears Melendez was singled out as the victim in this crime. Incidents like this are very rare and there has not been a homicide in the Cannery Row area of Monterey since 1991.
The MPD investigations Unit and the Peninsula Regional Violence and Narcotics Team (PRVNT) responded to the scene and are actively investigating the crime.
Anyone with information about this crime, the victim or any other suspicious activity that could be connected to this crime is requested to call Detective Sergeant Ron Blair at (831)646-3814 or the confidential tip line at (831)646-3840.
